From now until Lent begins the readings will be taken from the Book of Sirach. This is a late book, written about the year 200BC in Hebrew but translated into Greek about the year 135BC. Portions of the original Hebrew were re-discovered in the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is not considered part of the Hebrew Scriptures and, hence, is not included in the Protestant Bible. Ben Sira, the author, was concerned that the Jewish people keep the faith in turbulent times. One image he uses to promote the faith is Lady Wisdom. Unlike God seated on a lofty throne, Lady Wisdom permeates all that we do as human beings. Today might be a good day to thank God for the “Lady Wisdoms” in our lives.
